Singapore: ST Marine Completes Construction of Heavy Lift Hovercraft

Hovertrans Solutions Pte. Ltd.  announced that it has successfully completed the construction of a modular heavy lift hovercraft, the first of its kind to be built in Singapore. The hovercraft, commonly referred to as a hoverbarge, is now ready for charter. It is ideal for industries such as oil and gas, heavy logistics industries as well as for civil engineering work in otherwise inaccessible or environmentally sensitive terrain.

Built in ST Marine’s Benoi Yard, the Hoverbarge measuring 34m by 17m with a 50-tonne payload, is formed by joining specially designed modular ISO container size pontoons with skirt pontoons and a lift fan and engine module. This modularity means the entire Hoverbarge can be trucked individually to inland areas that need such a capability and which would otherwise be impossible to access. It also allows for shipping via conventional container vessels – thus keeping mobilisation costs low. With a hover height of 1.8m, the Hoverbarge is able to operate in high sea conditions and overcome obstacles on land.

Mr Ng Sing Chan, President of ST Marine and Chairman of Hovertrans Solutions said, “The successful completion of this Hoverbarge marks a turning point for ST Marine and Hovertrans Solutions.” He stressed, “The completion of the Hoverbarge now enables potential customers to see and appreciate how a hoverbarge works and its potential for a diverse range of applications.”

This 50-tonne Hoverbarge is different from conventional high speed hovercraft as it is constructed of steel to provide the ruggedness needed for the oil and gas sector. It is also designed for cold weather operations up to – 40°C. It can move heavy cargo or equipment over swamps, wetlands, tundra, ice, dry rivers and shallow water, opening up exciting possibilities for oil and gas exploration and remote field development. With a footprint of only 1 psi, conducting operations in environmentally sensitive terrain will now become a real possibility.

Tests and trials show that the Hoverbarge is well designed and built, and is ready for deployment. The company has received enquiries from various parts of the world on chartering the Hoverbarge.

Hovertrans Solutions (Hovertrans Solutions Pte. Ltd.), a company registered in Singapore, is a subsidiary of ST Marine and led by a management team responsible for pioneering the heavy lift hoverbarge since the 1970′s. With nearly 40 years of successful hoverbarge design, development and operation, Hovertrans Solutions is the best choice for heavy lift hoverbarges in difficult terrain in the global oil and gas, and specialist transportation industries.

ST Marine (Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd), the marine arm of ST Engineering, provides turnkey building, repair and conversion services for a wide spectrum of naval and commercial vessels. In shipbuilding, it has the proven capabilities to provide turnkey solutions from concept definition to detailed design, construction, on-board system installation and integration, testing,

commissioning to through-life support. It has also established a track record in providing high engineering content ship repair and ship conversion services for a worldwide clientele. ST Marine also provides a suite of sustainable environmental engineering solutions via its environmental engineering subsidiaries led by STSE Engineering Services Pte Ltd (STSE).